By Pancho Parian

• Valentine’s Day gifts for this couple are extraordinary – from candies to a song, to many letters, but not flowers and chocolates.
• Their recipe to being happy together are words and constant communication.

A very simple Valentine’s Day gift of three pieces of menthol candy, not chocolates or flowers, deepened a union that has been through 26 years, and four children. SWEETER TOGETHER - Reverend Rhoderick (4th from left) and Angelica (3rd from left), with children, from left- Selena Angelica, Florence Anne, Diana Rica, and Derrick Angelo, during the pastor's ordination. (Photo courtesy of Taiño family) That’s the memory that still lingers in the minds of born-again Christians Reverend Rhoderick S. Taiño, 50, and wife, Angelica, 45, who, in an interview with Manila Bulletin, said they have learned about commitment and love not through symbolic gestures but through acts and words of appreciation. Through the years, their Valentine’s Day gifts have become more special like food and personal items—and always with cards or letters expressing messages of love. But flowers and extravagant tokens are rare. One of the most unique gifts Rhoderick gave to Angelica was a love song titled ‘Wings,’ based on Angelica’s nickname ‘Angel,’ which he wrote for her. For them, the secret of staying together was never influenced by gifts but by words of affirmation and constant communication – like ‘thank you,’ ‘I love you,’ and the hardest to say – ‘I’m sorry.’ The pastor, whose community is in Bocaue, Bulacan, remembers that Valentine’s gift of only three pieces of menthol candy because it that was when they were struggling over finances. It came with a note: “I’m sorry, this is all I can give.” “We were in a difficult state, with no extra cash to spare,” he said. But even having no extra cash to spare is no reason not to remember a love one during Valentine’s Day. He advises those who are also going through financial problems to show “in your own special way, your love for your wife, that you are thinking of her that day.” He said that small gestures of appreciation and love go a long way in strengthening a relationship. Rhoderick and Angelica were married in 1997 and have been together for almost 26 years. They started dating in 1995, after meeting in church. Angelica’s family had just moved to Bulacan from their hometown in Laguna. You can say it was love at first sight. “When I first saw him, I knew that this is the person the Lord has given me to spend my life with,” Angelica said. Today, the couple resides in Bocaue, Bulacan where they manage a full gospel church with almost 100 members. Their children are Diana Rica, 25, a medical student, Selena Angelica, 23, a junior architect, Florence Anne, 21, and Derrick Angelo, 15, students. The children describe the relationship of their parents as “goofy” – like best friends, even if they do not express their affections in public. Rhoderick is a self-taught musician, who also leads the praise and worship team in church and also works as the general manager of a money remittance service. Angelica, a full-time mom, makes crafts and accessories like earrings. The couple shares their blessing of a strong commitment by conducting a yearly couple’s night for church members, to further strengthen bonds through counseling and guidance. With the church members, they also hold weekly outreach programs for children in rural areas, an activity that helps build relationships too. “Couples have to find ways to live in a long and happy relationship, as relationships were never meant to be perfect. Issues will be there but it’s up to the couple to navigate life’s difficult challenges as they grow stronger together. But it’s worth noting that even a simple greeting, can go a very long way,” Pastor Rhoderick said.